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Kilkenny People july 20 2001
THE N8 Action Group have this week vowed to take legal action in an attempt to prevent the development of a new motorway on a greenfield site between Cashel and Mitchelstown.
It is expected that a local public enquiry will take place in the spring of 2001 and a final decision will be made possibly by July next year. And, the Group's Chairperson, Mr. Joe Rea, told the "Tipperary Star" that they will also be advising those affected to adopt a policy of "non co-operation".
The Group's action follows the news this week that the preferred route for the new motorway planned south of Cashel is the Orange Corridor. Commencing on the outskirts of Cashel this route, as one proceeds in a southerly direction, travels west of Rockwell College and New Inn, east of Garranlea and Knockgraffon and west of Cahir and Burncourt.
The route does not incorporate the existing N8 but crosses it at Tincurry and outside Skeheenarinky. It covers 32 kilometres and will involve the acquisition of approximately 120 hectares of land, affecting approximately 130 landowners.
Senior Executive Engineer, Mr. Michael O' Malley, stated this week that it is hoped to adopt plans for the motorway, which will be 100 metres wide, by the end of July. An Environmental Impact Study will then be undertaken and it is expected that Compulsory Purchase Orders will take place later this year.
It is expected that a local public enquiry will take place in the spring of 2001 and a final decision will be made possibly by July next year.
However, the planned motorway came under fire this week. It had been the subject of considerable controversy in recent months as a team of consultants examined the four routes suggested before opting for the Orange Corridor. A number of groups had advocated upgrading of the existing N8 but this had been seen as a more expensive and lengthy option.
The N8 Action Group blasted the plan this week saying that they were convinced that the only reason the National Roads Authority and South Tipperary County Council wanted to build a motorway on a greenfield site between Cashel and Mitchelstown was to facilitate the imposi
Copyright The Tipperary Star 2001
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